HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — AP is reporting… Student scores on Pennsylvania standardized tests fell sharply last year in most categories, although state education officials cautioned the numbers were so distorted by pandemic conditions that they are of limited use for comparison to previous years — particularly regarding statewide trends. The Education Department on Friday released results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams for grades three to eight that showed broad declines in both math and English language arts.
The Keystone Exams that assess algebra, literature and biology for high school students had more mixed results. The Keystone exam participation at the high school level was so low, said Brian Campbell, director of the Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction, that some smaller schools did not obtain sufficient data to calculate results and publish them without violating confidentiality of individual students’ results.
The Keystone literature exam, typically administered to 10th graders, was taken by just 9% of students, which was partly the result of the decision made early in the pandemic to not administer Keystones at all in 2019-20. For the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment exams in grades three to eight, where participation was down about one-fourth to one-third, English scores were down 3.5% to 7%, depending on the grade; and math fell 7% to 11%. In science, scores for fourth graders were down about 2%, for eighth graders about 7%. Scores were higher where participation was higher, Campbell said.
YORK, Pa. (WHTM) — WHTM is reporting… Athletes of all ages got a chance to put their training to the test on Saturday, March 5. After a year of virtual competition, the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Indoor Winter Games were back in action. More than 150 athletes from across the commonwealth and surrounding states were competing in floor hockey, speed skating, and figure skating. The events were spread across two venues to help keep participants and coaches safe.
Organizers say the games are fun and after a year off, it’s great to see everyone get together. “We are excited to be back and competing. We want to thank everyone who has put in the hard work. Including all the coaches and athletes and the parents who have been very supportive over the years,” floor hockey goaltender Tip Hansen said. Hansen says the hard-working volunteers play a big role in making the games a success.
